Had he been able to choose from the two sisters, he would probably have selected Gertrude in spite of what he had said to Norman in the boat; but Gertrude was bespoken; and it therefore seemed all but unnatural that there should not be some love passages between him and Linda.
Ah! Mrs.Woodward, my friend, my friend, was it well that thou shouldst leave that sweet unguarded rosebud of thine to such perils as these?
They, also, commenced their wooing by talking over Captain Cuttwater; but they did not quarrel over him.

Linda was quite content to be told by her friend what she ought to do, and how she ought to think about her uncle; and Alaric had a better way of laying down the law than Norman.

He could do so without offending his hearer's pride, and consequently was generally better listened to than his friend, though his law was probably not in effect so sound.
But they had soon done with Captain Cuttwater, and Alaric had to choose another subject.

Gertrude and Norman were at some distance from them, but were in sight and somewhat in advance.
'Look at Harry,' said Alaric; 'I know from the motion of his shoulder that he is at this moment saying something very tender.' 'It is ten times more likely that they are quarrelling,' said Linda.
'Oh! the quarrels of lovers--we know all about that, don't we ?' 'You must not call them lovers, Alaric; mamma would not like it, nor indeed would Gertrude, I am sure.' 'I would not for the world do anything that Mrs.Woodward would not like; but between ourselves, Linda, are they not lovers ?' 'No; that is, not that I know of.

I don't believe that they are a bit,' said Linda, blushing at her own fib.
'And why should they not be?
How indeed is it possible that they should not be; that is--for I heartily beg Gertrude's pardon--how is it possible that Harry should not be in love with her ?' 'Indeed, Gertrude is very, very beautiful,' said Linda, with the faintest possible sigh, occasioned by the remembrance of her own inferior charms.
'Indeed she is, very, very beautiful,' repeated Alaric, speaking with an absent air as though his mind were fully engaged in thinking of the beauty of which he spoke.
It was not in Linda's nature to be angry because her sister was admired, and because she was not.